Duluth Recognized as 'Legacy Destination'

Duluth is being recognized for effectively using sales tax dollars from the Legacy amendment for arts and outdoor projects.

Conservation Minnesota and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts awarded Duluth Mayor Don Ness and City Council President Linda Krug with a plaque Monday afternoon.

The organizations pointed to projects like assessing the water quality of lakes and streams and 50 arts and culture grants.

Krug said there have been 809 Legacy-funded projects in St. Louis county over the past six years, most of those being centered in Duluth.

Ness said he wants to see the city continue to strengthen its track record of investing its Legacy dollars into important projects for the community.

"One of the reasons I think Duluth has been successful at using these dollars and getting maximum returns for those Legacy dollars is that we have good projects," Ness said. "We have people that are passionate about improving our environment and expanding our recreation opportunities and having a vibrant, locally-based arts community."

Duluth is one of 11 cities across the state being honored. Ely will also be recognized for its responsible use of Legacy funds.

This time last year the Apostle Islands Ice Cave season was about to wrap up, but this year, it's just getting started, and the shorter season had crowds flocking to the attraction for its opening weekend. Just days ago, park officials gave the okay for the ice caves to open up to the nearly 11,000 visitors who came over the weekend.